Jumpstart Your Health with Cinnamon!
Why get excited about cinnamon? It adds a zing to your tea and toothpaste. Don’t we all love cinnamon toast? At the mall you see Cinnabon and we loved Pillsbury cinnamon rolls as kids! It’s used in cereals, pastries, chai tea, gum, mints, and now supplements. However, that’s not why it’s so exciting. Surprisingly, not that many people are aware of all the amazing health benefits of cinnamon. Want to know more?
Cinnamon is More Than Flavoring!
Cinnamon is an indigenous spice from the inner bark of several species of the Cinnamomum genus of evergreen trees, which belong to the laurel family, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). There are over 300 species of cinnamon, but there are 4 main species that are most commonly used.
- Cinnamomum cassia is the cinnamon you will most likely have in your kitchen cabinet. It is native to China and the most common type sold in the United States and Canada.
- Cinnamomum verum, (formerly called Cinnamomum zeylanicum) known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, comes primarily from Sri Lanka. It is more delicately flavored than cassia and highly prized, though less widely used.
- Cinnamomum burmannii, also called Indonesian cinnamon, has a smoother taste than other types of cinnamon.
- Cinnamomum loureiroi, also known as Vietnamese cinnamon, is usually considered stronger in flavor.
There are cinnamon essential oils, like the one from Doterra which is the verum (cinnamomom zeylanicum) variety also known as Ceylon or true cinnamon. Adding a drop of cinnamon oil to a teaspoon of honey has many additional health benefits.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Benefits
The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon has been shown to reduce the body’s inflammatory response. Cinnamon also contains plant compounds known as polyphenols that have protective, antioxidant properties. One study found that supplementation with the correct species could significantly increase antioxidant levels in the blood while reducing markers such as C-reactive protein that measure inflammation.
Oral Health Benefits
If you add a drop Ceylon cinnamon essential oil to honey, which also has polyphenols (quercetin, rutin, luteolin, and apigenin) the combination is powerful! Together this dynamic duo can tackle the bacteria that lead to gum disease. This can be helpful after a dental procedure, especially if antibiotics are necessary for an abscess. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of this spice may reduce infections, tooth decay, and bad breath. Cinnamon makes a healing and refreshing mouthwash. Who doesn’t love that cinnamon fresh-breath feeling?
Diabetes and Blood Sugar
Insulin resistance is a huge problem in our country, largely due to the amount of sugar and carbohydrates we consume. About 38 million Americans are confirmed diabetics and about 20% of the population are unaware they have it. While insulin resistance can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, this is not necessarily the case with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction and can also be hereditary.
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Once again, our hero cinnamomum comes to the rescue! Some studies suggest that cinnamon may be able to reduce insulin resistance. In fact, this spice has been shown to significantly increase sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which may improve blood sugar control. It can also decrease the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream after a meal. This is helpful for your blood vessels since sugar can damage the lining of blood vessels.
Antibacterial, Anti-viral and Anti-fungal
The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of Ceylon Cinnamon can stop the fungal infection Candida albicans and prevent it from spreading. Many people suffer from yeast infections, caused by the candida fungus, after taking antibiotics. Using this form of the spice can offset the negative effects and also mitigate the antibiotic-resistant effect of antibiotics use. Cinnamon may even be safe to use during pregnancy if antibiotics are needed for some reason. This would be a great discussion for a woman to have with her OBGYN.
Cinnamon has been shown to promote a healthy gut microbiome by supporting a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria due to its anti-microbial and anti-parasitic properties. It is a prebiotic, which functions as a food source for probiotics, the beneficial gut bacteria. At the same time, cinnamon suppresses the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. This is how cinnamon helps maintain microbiome balance after antibiotic therapy.
The compounds in cinnamon are also effective against viral infections such as the flu, common cold, and respiratory infections. It also reduces allergy symptoms by fighting the histamine response. The combination of honey and cinnamon mentioned earlier can be beneficial for acne, rosacea, and skin allergies.
Cancer Prevention
The bioactive component CA (cinnamaldehyde), isolated from the stem bark of cinnamomum cassia, has been shown to suppress tumor growth. It was also found to reduce the volume of tumors and number of new vessels in melanoma cells in a study with mice. The polyphenols in CA may exhibit neuroprotective effects in C6 glioma cells, which is a rat cell line used for research for this type of tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain.
The anti-cancer activity of cinnamon extract is linked with their enhanced pro-apoptotic activity by the inhibition of NFκB and AP1 activity in mouse melanoma. The nuclear factor (NFκB), a transcription factor responsible for inflammatory response, is an important molecule linking chronic inflammation to cancer. Activator protein (AP1) plays a role in tumor cell division. A 2010 study from the National Library of Medicine has shown the cinnamon extracts were effective inhibitors of the activities of both NFκB and AP1. Simply put, the antioxidants in cinnamaldehyde can protect us from free radicals, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which play in role in cancer development.
Heart Health
Cinnamon contains potassium, magnesium, and calcium which are important minerals known to support the heart muscle. It is also rich in manganese, iron, vitamin K, and copper. Magnesium and calcium work together to maintain a healthy heartbeat, while potassium helps to counteract the effect of sodium on blood pressure. Sodium is known to encourage your body to retain fluid, which in turn increases the pressure exerted by the blood against vessel walls.
Additional Benefits
A few more benefits worth mentioning are increased circulation due to increased blood flow, improved brain function, Alzheimer’s prevention, hormone balance, and a mood boost when used in aromatherapy. The scent of this amazing spice can lift your mood, alleviate stress, and boost energy. This is so much healthier than energy drinks or pharmaceuticals!
Cassia versus Ceylon
In closing, it is important to note that the cinnamon species is imperative. Cassia or Saigon cinnamon contains large amounts of coumarin which is a blood thinner and could be toxic in large quantities. Ceylon or Verum cinnamon contains little or no coumarin, making it a wise choice if you plan to supplement with this amazing spice. Don’t be tempted to grab that bottle of cinnamon from your spice rack and go crazy. Get the good stuff and your body will thank you!
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to simply provide information. It does not intend to replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with you doctor if you have questions or concerns.
